Tag: dementia

Sage Advice®

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12.17.25 | Mental Wellbeing

The Sound of Memory: How Singing and Reading Aloud Support Brain Health in Older Adults

At Sage Collective®, we believe vibrant living isn’t just about adding years to life—it’s about filling those years with connection, joy, and continual growth. And increasingly, research affirms something that communities have known for generations: the simple acts of singing and reading aloud can profoundly support cognitive resilience, emotional well-being, and even help protect against dementia.

These practices may appear modest on the surface, but beneath them is a symphony of neurological engagement—rhythm, language, breath, memory, emotion—that stimulates the brain in ways both restorative and preventive.

A Workout for the Brain
Singing and reading aloud are, quite literally, workouts for the brain. They engage multiple regions simultaneously: those responsible for speech and language, those that process rhythm and sound, and those that regulate memory and emotion. Neuroscientists often refer to this as “cross-training” for the brain—activities that stimulate layered pathways rather than single functions.

For older adults, keeping these networks active is essential. Studies suggest that regular engagement with language and music can strengthen cognitive reserves—the brain’s ability to adapt, compensate, and maintain function as we age. This reserve is one of the strongest protective factors against the onset or progression of dementia.

Memory’s Hidden Pathways
One of the extraordinary things about music is the way it threads through memory. Even when other pathways falter, musical memory often remains intact. Many caregivers of people with dementia have witnessed this miracle: a person who struggles with everyday conversation may still remember an old hymn, a favorite jazz standard, or the songs of their childhood.

This is because singing activates procedural and emotional memory—types of memory stored in areas of the brain that are often more resilient to decline. When older adults sing regularly, especially songs they know, they strengthen these pathways and reinforce connections to personal history, identity, and community.

Reading aloud has similar effects. Unlike silent reading, which is largely internal, reading aloud requires the brain to convert written symbols into spoken language, engage the breath and vocal cords, and sustain attention in the present moment. That combination enhances executive function and verbal fluency—two areas often affected early in cognitive decline.

Emotional Lift, Social Connection
The benefits of singing and reading aloud extend beyond cognitive health. They nurture emotional well-being, boost confidence, and encourage social connection—all protective factors against dementia.

Singing in a group—whether a choir, a casual gathering, or a weekly sing-along—creates a sense of belonging. Voices align, breath synchronizes, and participants often experience an uplifting release of endorphins. These positive emotions help counter stress and loneliness, both of which are linked to cognitive decline.

Reading aloud can do the same. Whether sharing a poem, telling a story, or participating in a reading circle, the practice builds community and encourages conversation. It becomes a shared ritual: a way of being present together, of listening and being heard.

A Practice That Sparks Joy
At Sage Collective®, we champion activities that nourish the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Singing and reading aloud require no special equipment, no large commitment of time, no prior training. They are accessible, joyful, and deeply human.

For older adults looking to strengthen cognitive vitality, these practices offer a gentle and powerful daily ritual: a way to stay mentally agile, emotionally connected, and rooted in the pleasure of expression. And perhaps most importantly, they remind us that the tools for vibrant living have been within us all along—our voices, our stories, and the songs that help us remember who we are.

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Sage Advice®

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10.02.25 | Sage Advice®

Vaccines and Brain Health: Emerging Evidence on Dementia Risk Reduction

When we think about vaccines, our minds often go to protection against the flu, pneumonia, or shingles—illnesses that can be especially concerning for older adults. But a growing body of research suggests vaccines may do more than shield us from infections. They might also play an unexpected role in lowering the risk of dementia. While this is not yet definitive, the evidence is intriguing—and worth sharing.

The Science Emerging
In recent years, several studies have found a potential link between common vaccines and a reduced risk of cognitive decline. For example, older adults who received flu, pneumonia, or shingles vaccines were found to have a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who did not. Scientists believe that vaccines may stimulate the immune system in a way that helps clear harmful proteins in the brain, or reduce harmful inflammation—both of which are associated with dementia.

While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, the evidence is promising: these everyday preventive measures may also provide long-term protection for the brain.

Why This Matters
Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, affects millions of people worldwide and has profound impacts on families and communities. At Sage Collective®, we emphasize the importance of vibrant living—taking proactive steps to nurture not just our bodies, but our minds and spirits. If something as simple as a routine vaccine can contribute to brain health, it underscores the power of prevention and the interconnectedness of our health choices.

A Broader View of Wellness
Vaccination is just one piece of a larger wellness puzzle. At Sage Collective®, we encourage a holistic approach to healthy aging: nourishing meals, regular physical activity, meaningful social connection, spiritual enrichment, and ongoing learning. Adding vaccine awareness into this mix expands our toolkit for living with vitality and resilience.

Possible Mechanisms
Researchers are still piecing together why vaccines might have this effect. Some leading theories include:

  1. Reduced systemic and neuroinflammation – Fewer infections means fewer inflammatory cascades that can damage neurons.
  2. Immune system “training” – Vaccines may recalibrate the immune system to respond better to harmful proteins in the brain.
  3. Prevention of viral reactivation – Shingles vaccines prevent reactivation of varicella-zoster virus, which may reduce neural damage.
  4. Adjuvant effects – Some vaccines, especially newer ones like Shingrix and RSV, include immune-boosting adjuvants that may have additional protective benefits.

Looking Ahead
It’s important to note that research is ongoing, and vaccines are not a guarantee against dementia. But the possibility that they may reduce risk offers hope and reinforces the value of staying up to date with recommended immunizations.

As scientists continue to explore this exciting connection, we can continue doing what we know supports longevity and joy: making intentional choices that keep us strong, engaged, and connected.

Key Studies & Findings
Here are several notable research efforts that have investigated associations between vaccination and reduced dementia or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk:

Influenza (Flu) Vaccination

  • Bukhbinder et al., 2022: A nationwide U.S. study found that flu vaccination was linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 65+.
  • Zhao et al., 2024 (UK Biobank): Repeated flu vaccinations correlated with progressively lower dementia risk, showing a clear dose–response relationship.
  • Yang et al., 2025 Meta-analysis: Involving nearly 10 million participants, this study found the strongest protective effect in high-risk populations (e.g. vascular disease, COPD).

Pneumococcal Vaccination

  • Huo et al., 2024: Using the IBM MarketScan database, researchers found pneumococcal vaccination was linked to a 63% lower odds of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Duke University Cardiovascular Health Study: Vaccination between ages 65–75 was associated with a 25–30% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Vaccination

  • Harris et al., 2023: Shingles vaccination was associated with about a 25% lower Alzheimer’s risk in adults 65+.
  • Taquet et al., 2024 (Nature Medicine): The Shingrix vaccine was linked to a delay in dementia onset—about 164 additional dementia-free days.
  • Welsh Natural Experiment, 2025: Those eligible for shingles vaccination (based on birthdate rules) had a 20% lower incidence of dementia over seven years.

Tdap / Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Vaccination

  • Harris et al., 2023: The same large cohort study found that Tdap/Td vaccination was associated with a ~30% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Taquet et al., 2024 (Nature Medicine): Found a smaller but measurable protective effect of Tdap, with vaccinated individuals experiencing modest delays in dementia onset.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccination

  • Oxford University, 2024: Recipients of the new Arexvy RSV vaccine showed a 29% reduction in dementia diagnoses over an 18-month period.

Caveats & Open Questions
It’s important to note:

  • Most findings are observational, not proof of causation.
  • Healthier adults may be more likely to get vaccinated, creating “healthy-user bias.”
  • Dementia is often underdiagnosed or misclassified, which may affect results.
  • Effect sizes vary: shingles and pneumococcal vaccines seem to show stronger associations than flu or Tdap, but evidence is still emerging.

What We Can Do Today
While the science is evolving, the message is clear:

  • Stay up to date with recommended vaccinations (flu, pneumococcal, shingles, Tdap boosters, RSV if eligible).
  • Consider that these vaccines may offer double protection—against infections and potentially against cognitive decline.
  • Continue investing in a holistic approach to brain health: regular exercise, nutritious food, social engagement, spiritual well-being, and lifelong learning.

As we embrace choices that nurture body, mind, and spirit, vaccines may now be one more tool in the toolkit for a longer, healthier, and more joyful life.

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Sage Advice®

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09.18.25 | News

Q&A with Olivia Matongo, Alzheimer’s Association® on Brain Health, Equity, and Community

Sage Collective® and the Alzheimer’s Association® share a powerful common ground: helping older adults live vibrantly with knowledge, connection, and care. Ahead of our Facebook Live conversation with Olivia Matongo, Vice President of the Alzheimer’s Association® Illinois Chapter on September 23, 2025 at 7:00PM CT, we sat down with Olivia about a number of subjects, including how to make brain-healthy living more accessible, equitable, and actionable for our community.

In your role, what does a “good day” look like—and who benefits most from your work?
My team leads community outreach and engagement—we’re the ones executing the mission in the field. That means raising awareness about the disease and about our resources, building relationships with community leaders and organizations, and making sure people who are struggling can access care and support.

How did the relationship with Sage Collective® come to be?
We met at a community meeting and started talking about ways to partner. After follow-up conversations, we landed on doing a session focused on brain health—sharing who we are, what we do, and how we can support Sage Collective®’s community.

Many people ask how to distinguish normal, age-related memory lapses from early warning signs of Alzheimer’s. How do you explain the difference?
Normal aging isn’t disruptive—you might occasionally forget something and then remember it later. Dementia involves memory loss that interferes with daily life, like getting lost on a familiar route or struggling with tasks you used to manage easily. It affects the individual and those around them as loved ones notice changes and step in with more support.

We’re hearing more about new blood tests entering the diagnostic toolkit. What should families know?
Diagnosis is never one single test—clinicians use a number of tools in the diagnostic process, including cognitive and behavioral assessments. Blood-based tools are emerging to help detect biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s, which can make the path to answers less invasive and help families plan and prepare sooner in consultation with their clinicians.

What daily habits do you encourage for better brain health?
At the Alzheimer’s Association®, our public health team recently launched “10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain” grounded in research. Highlights include moving your body, not smoking, managing blood pressure and diabetes, getting enough sleep, keeping your brain learning new things, and following the MIND diet (leafy greens, berries, nuts, lean proteins, and less butter, cheese, and red meat). Doing several of these together can meaningfully reduce risk over time.

Sage Collective®’s “9 Ways of Vibrant Living” align closely with your recommendations.
Exactly. Engagement and purpose are powerful. When partners like Sage Collective®help us reach people with practical, everyday ways to take care of brain and body, the impact multiplies.

How is the Alzheimer’s Association® building trust and access in communities that have been underserved?
We’ve invested for years in focused DEI efforts—partnering with organizations already rooted in Black, Brown, and rural communities. In Chicago, for example, we co-create annual conferences with community planning committees—one on the South Side centered on African American communities and one on the West Side centered on Hispanic communities—so that education, resources, and support truly reflect community needs.

What does a strong partnership with Sage Collective® look like to you?
Access and trust. Being invited in to educate and support your community is huge—and it’s reciprocal. We also ask, “How can we serve Sage Collective®’s goals?” As our organizations continue talking, the partnership can evolve in ways that make sense for both missions.

Join us live
Don’t miss our Facebook Live with the Sage Collective® team and Olivia Matongo from the Alzheimer’s Association®, taking place on Tuesday, September 23rd at 7 PM CT/8 PM ET. We’ll dig deeper into early signs, new diagnostic tools, everyday prevention, and community resources. Bring your questions—and invite a friend or care partner. Go to the Sage Collective® website to reserve your spot!

 

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Sage Advice®

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11.10.20 | Sage Advice®

Advice for Caretakers Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia

Caring for a loved one is no easy task, and no one should feel alone — whether caretaker or a loved one receiving care. In honor of National Family Caregiver Month, we spoke with Loren Faith Buford to discuss her expert insights and advice for caretakers caring for loved ones with dementia.

Buford is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the clinical program Supervisor of Senior Services at Metropolitan Family Services in DuPage County, as well as a member of the Board of Directors at Sage Collective. Beyond her extensive professional expertise, Buford and her sisters are taking care of their beloved 90-year old mother who is experiencing dementia.

Assessing You and Your Loved One’s Unique Situation

Sometimes the hardest part of caring for a loved one with dementia is admitting there’s a need. But that acknowledgement, and planning accordingly, can be vital. “The first thing you can do when grappling with caring for a loved one with dementia is to recognize the symptoms, and recognize that there’s a need,” confirms Buford. “Too often, those struggling with dementia are able to fool the people around them for a long time. You won’t know they need help, because they’re proud and want to maintain their dignity. But the truth is that everyone needs help, especially in cases of dementia, and it isn’t a shameful thing,” she says.

“Developing your awareness, and understanding when there’s a need to seek a medical diagnosis for your loved one takes attentive care,” says Buford. “If your loved one lives alone, for example, I recommend going to their house often: look in their refrigerator, see whether the mail is piling up, and to see whether they’re losing strength and struggling with daily tasks like cleaning or cooking. Those are the first signs. There will be behavioral signs too, like if they get upset more easily or begin repeating information.”

“Once you acknowledge the need for care is there, then you have to figure out how you can balance your life with helping them take best care of themselves,” shares Buford. “Specifically, how can you balance your self care with their care? That’s also why it’s so important to catch dementia early on: the sooner you acknowledge that need, the easier it will be to gather the necessary resources, people and services that are out there, and that can help make the task of caretaking easier on you.” 

Just as caretakers must help their loved one accept help, we too must help caretakers accept the help they themselves need to carry on this essential work.

Creating Solutions That Work: Balancing Communication and Care

Whether caretakers live with or apart from their loved one, establishing a routine of care that feels natural and comfortable for both parties is vital. Buford runs through the gamut of challenges: “When do they eat? How do they get exercise? How do I make sure they’re getting a rounded out day? And most of all — how do I ensure these things without upsetting my loved one and having them feel like all I ask about is medication?” And her answer: “You have to make these things a part of their life, and make it feel natural.”

Even when caretaking feels like a strenuous task, it’s important to remind oneself of the love driving the work. “You have to find ways to provide care and not be a martyr about it,” reflects Buford. “It’s essential that your loved one knows this is what you want to do — and that you’re a team. If they’re feeling it’s not genuine and you’re not comfortable, they’ll feel like a burden and they’ll fight and resist receiving care, and worst of all they won’t communicate, or feel comfortable sharing what they need. But when you’re a team, your loved one will feel like an active part of their own treatment plan, and together you can find solutions they take part in, agree and want.”

So how can caretakers build healthy trust and communication? “Make caretaking a good time and make those memories count. If your loved one starts singing a song, join in. If they’re laughing, laugh with them. When you join them in their world, you find that it’s fun for you, too. It creates a whole different dynamic between the two of you, one that’s productive, and also full of joy,” says Buford. 

And most important of all: “As your loved one’s dementia progresses,” advises Buford, “it’s absolutely vital to remind yourself that the core of that person is still there. Whether they’re having an irritable day, or maybe you’re having a bad day yourself, remind yourself to see them for what they were and continue to be: the person you love.”

LOREN BUFORD
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